David Leonhardt
The Strategist
The long view, patient, analytical, playing several moves ahead.
David Leonhardt is a prominent columnist and editor known for his analytical approach to economic and social issues. This interview reveals his strategic thinking as he emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making and the need for systemic change in addressing the challenges facing society.
“Outside of it as a really little kid, I was born in Manhattan. I'm a third generation born in New York City, but then mostly grew up out in the suburbs. And yeah, my dad was a teacher first as a public school teacher out in the suburbs.”
“But of course, when he came to this country, he had to make money, right? And so I assume that's why he started this commercial photography business. And as I've thought more about it, it's just given me this sense of tremendous gratitude, right?”
“That's probably not how I would say it, but I don't know. I remember this feeling in high school, of being over this kind of early word processor, right? It was a combination typewriter. And thinking to myself, I really like this. If only I weren't so bad at writing, I would want to be a writer.”
“And to me, so the shifts and the things like that on the analytics are part of the yin and yang of competition and strategy I actually love it. I don't love the fact that baseball is now about so much about strikeouts and home runs. And I actually think that the league needs to look, they've raised the mound before.”
The Axe Files with David Axelrod — Ep. 303 - David Leonhardt
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